NASCAR's Johnson to film series with HBO Sports
There's two sides to Jimmie Johnson, the three-time defending
champion often perceived to be a stiff, corporate spokesman who has
sucked the drama out of NASCAR.
But he plays hard away from the track, where those who know
him well insist he's a laid-back California guy who loves a good
party.
The public will get to judge for themselves next year when
Johnson, who is trying for a NASCAR record fourth consecutive title
this season, opens his life for HBO Sports' award-winning "24/7"
program. The four-episode series will air beginning in January and
focus on Johnson's preparation for the 2010 season-opening Daytona
500.
"I'm confident that my personality will come out, and for
those who may think I'm boring, they'll see a different side of
me," Johnson said Thursday from his office at Hendrick Motorsports.
The show will mark HBO's first in-depth venture into NASCAR,
and it will be the first time its "24/7" franchise will stray from
boxing.
Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports, didn't have any
hesitation about choosing Johnson for the first non-boxing
documentary.
"You know, they also said Oscar De La Hoya was boring,"
Greenburg said.
"This gentleman has won three Cups in a row, is regarded as
most by the greatest driver in the world. We look for personality,
and when I came to visit him, it was a nonstop chatter box who has
a lot to talk about. I think he's ready."
The project was brought to HBO by Creative Artists Agency on
behalf of Johnson, who signed on with its sports division in 2008
for a marketing, licensing and endorsement deal. CAA asked Johnson
for a list of projects he'd like to do and "24/7" was at the top.
He and his wife, Chandra, had become hooked on the series
during the Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather edition, and Johnson
wanted a chance to do a similar project.
"I think it would be awesome to show what goes on in my life,
the team, NASCAR, and truthfully to hit new fans," Johnson said.
Johnson is also hoping he can parlay the show into another
gig at HBO - a guest spot on "Eastbound and Down."
"That would be awesome," he said. "I carry that show around
in my bag, and I'd love it if we could figure out a way to get me
on there."
But one thing at a time, Greenburg laughed, and first up will
be at least 1,000 hours of filming to create the four 30-minute
episodes. Cameras have already filmed a bit with Johnson and his
wife, and the project will pick up steam as they head into the
offseason and then to Daytona next year.
Although Johnson said his wife isn't comfortable around
cameras, he's confident they'll adapt. And he's trusting the
experience will be much different from what good friend Nick Lachey
experienced doing "Newlyweds" for MTV with his now-ex, Jessica
Simpson.
"I feel that this is much different than a reality show," he
said. "It's certainly our real life but it's more of a documentary
than a reality show. That's a big difference. And Nick would kill
me, too."
The show will have total access to Johnson, Hendrick
Motorsports, and the No. 48 race team in its preparation for
NASCAR's biggest race of the year. Greenburg expects an adventure
or two with the notoriously intense crew chief Chad Knaus, who has
little time for media when the pressure is on. Knaus can also be
super secretive when it comes to strategies and planning, and the
exposure could potentially unnerve him.
"We laugh about it, but it's going to be interesting,"
Greenburg said. "If Chad has trouble with it, that will be part of
the story, too: Chad can't handle this.
"He may bite Jimmie's head off at times, and tell Jimmie to
get these cameras out of here. Hopefully, we're rolling when that
happens."
But Greenburg is most excited to expose NASCAR to a new
audience.
"There's so much to this sport that people don't see," he
said. "That happened in boxing (with "24/7") and that happened in
pro football (with "Hard Knocks"), and we want to just bring it all
out in NASCAR. Jimmie doesn't have to be Floyd Mayweather and start
throwing money around and making it rain, but we are going to show
a different side of Jimmie Johnson to America and I think that
people will maybe change their tune."